West Jordan's Right to Farm: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles right to farm a little differently. In West Jordan, Utah, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Agricultural Zoning Protection

West Jordan shields farmland through three Agricultural Zones, A-1, A-5 and A-20, instead of a standalone right-to-farm ordinance. City Code section 13-5A-1 states the zones exist to encourage crop growing and livestock raising and to stop "leap frog" urban encroachment onto working land until residential, commercial or industrial development becomes necessary and desirable.

Key details: A-1 minimum lot: 1 acre. A-5 minimum lot: 5 acres. A-20 minimum lot: 20 acres. Max building height: 35 ft (silos, ag structures exempt). Dwellings per lot: One single-family home per lot.

The development services department enforces title 13 under section 13-4-1 and may inspect land, issue stop-work orders, revoke permits or refer cases to code enforcement under 13-4-4. Section 13-4-11 makes any zoning violation, including exceeding density limits or running unpermitted uses in an A zone, a Class C misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense enforceable administratively under title 16 or criminally in court.

Farm Nuisance Protection

West Jordan shields established farms and ranches from nuisance complaints tied to routine agricultural activity. City Code section 5-3-2B exempts properties in continuous active agricultural or ranch operation since before the surrounding land developed, covering the sights, sounds, odors and dust inherent to raising crops and livestock.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 5-3-2(B). Protected activity: Preexisting active agricultural/ranch operations. Covers: Sights, sounds, odors, dust inherent to farming. Weed carve-out: Uneconomical cultivated farmland weeds included. Last amended: Ordinance 17-44, July 26, 2017.

Because section 5-3-2B removes qualifying farm and ranch activity from the definition of a nuisance, ordinary sights, sounds, odors, dust and uneconomical weed growth on a preexisting agricultural operation cannot be prosecuted or abated under section 5-3-1 or section 5-3-3; the City's nuisance enforcement, including the Class B misdemeanor penalty, applies only outside this exemption's continuity and use requirements.

The rules around farm nuisance protection in West Jordan lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

West Jordan's right to farm rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming West Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects West Jordan's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.